Johann Paul Friedrich Richter (1763-1825) was the most widely read German poet during his lifetime and even more popular than Goethe. Schwarzenbach has been the hometown of his paternal ancestors and relatives since the 17th century. Their descendants still live here today. Jean Paul spent significant periods of his life, from childhood to becoming a sought-after writer, in Schwarzenbach.
From 1790 to 1794, he earned his living here as a private tutor and wrote the works that would lead to his literary breakthrough. It was in Schwarzenbach that he first wrote of himself as "Jean Paul" in 1792.

Translated by Google •

SvenN

April 3, 2025

The German poet Johann Paul Friedrich Richter, known as Jean Paul, is remembered here.

Translated by Google •

maria

October 13, 2025

Johann Paul Friedrich Richter – his pen name was Jean Paul – spent seven years of his life in Schwarzenbach an der Saale (1776–1779 and 1790–1794). During his second stay in the town, he wrote "The Invisible Lodge," which established his fame as a poet. In March 2002, the town of Schwarzenbach unveiled a memorial stone for Jean Paul in front of the town hall (see photo). Attached to the granite boulder are two bronze plaques created by Wolfgang Stefan from Selb-Vielitz and Willi Seiler from Wunsiedel. The half-relief on the upper panel shows the poet's head; the lower panel reads:

JOHANN PAUL

FRIEDRICH RICHTER

CALLED

JEAN PAUL

March 21, 1763 – November 14, 1825

LIVED FROM 1776 TO 1779

AND FROM 1790 TO 1794

IN SCHWARZENBACH AD SAALE

HERE HE WROTE

HIS FIRST NOVEL

>THE INVISIBLE LODGE<

bayern-fichtelgebirge.de/kleindenkmal/gdst_jeanpaul.htm

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 540 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 12 November

10°C

4°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Schwarzenbach an der Saale, Landkreis Hof, Vogtland, Saxony, Germany

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Schönburgwarte Tower on Großer Kornberg

Wolfsfelsbruch Quarry and Cabin

Braurangenbruch Quarry Pond

View of Förmitz Reservoir

Ascent to Kornberg

Lamitzgrund Valley Trail

Kleines Tal mit Teich

Monument on the Island in Förmitzspeicher Reservoir

View of Kornberg

Saale Riverside Cycle Path

Saaleradweg in Schwarzenbach an der Saale

Scenic Countryside and Forest Paths near Upper Franconia

Jean Paul Monument

1. Hiking loop from Schwarzenbach (Saale)

2. Jean Paul Monument – Emil Erpel Monument loop from Schwarzenbach (Saale)

3. Oberkotzau Castle – Fernweh Park Oberkotzau loop from Schwarzenbach (Saale)

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️